iU President Gachon:Mr. Nobuyuki Hoshino

◆iU President Gachon:Mr. Nobuyuki Hoshino

Mr.Nobuyuki Hoshino is a baseball legend. As the ace pitcher for the Hankyu Braves (and later the Hanshin Tigers), he achieved double-digit wins for 11 consecutive years. He was famous for his incredibly slow, looping curveball—so slow that catchers reportedly caught it with their bare hands, and the return throw to the mound looked faster than the pitch itself. Yet, because of this extreme speed differential, his standard fastball felt blindingly fast to top hitters.

Watch his highlights here

■On Pitching

I didn't start out throwing slow pitches. Early on, I focused entirely on pinpoint control, hitting the outside edges of the strike zone where batters struggled. The slow curveball came later. Once I turned pro, I mastered the art of keeping hitters off-balance by constantly disrupting their timing.

■Making it to the Pros

When I was 18, I had zero confidence that I could make it in the professional leagues. I had never played in the prestigious Koshien tournament and came from a relatively low-profile baseball region in Hokkaido. At the time, very few players successfully made the jump straight from high school to the pros, so I initially turned down the draft offer.

■Seizing the Opportunity

After joining the minors, I got a sudden call-up to start a game because the team ran out of pitchers. The coach told me to just give it my best for two or three innings before they replaced me. I ended up throwing three scoreless innings, then kept going all the way through the ninth for a complete-game shutout. That single game secured my spot in the rotation and fast-tracked me to the majors.

■Avoiding Injury

During my rookie year, the brutal pro training regimen left me constantly injured. I quickly realized that overtraining was unsustainable, so I learned to listen to my body and rest when needed. By my second year, I could accurately gauge my limits and adjust my training volume to stay healthy.

■Learning Through Imitation

I spent my early days watching the veteran pitchers, trying to copy their mechanics and mental approaches. I focused entirely on my day-to-day progress. By focusing on taking things one step at a time, I looked up one day and realized I had become a mainstay of the first-string team.

■The Global Stage

When I traveled to the Seattle Mariners with Ichiro, I was asked if I wanted to try playing in Major League Baseball. However, playing abroad had never been a goal of mine. More importantly, the official MLB baseballs had slippery leather, meaning my signature curveball wouldn't break at all. While I was honored by the interest, the equipment just didn't suit my style. Looking back, though, maybe I should have given it a shot.

■A Message for You

Today’s young generation is incredibly talented. Be confident and don't hesitate to venture abroad. You live in an era where you can freely express your opinions and where making a mistake isn't the end of the world. Always look forward, and when you're stuck, don't be afraid to listen to advice. It’s a fantastic time to be alive. Good luck!